Jonah Goldberg’s “Liberal Fascism”: Fascist ideology is a product of the left

• Jonah Goldberg’s book, “Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, from Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning,” argues that fascism’s roots are intertwined with the progressive left, not just the far-right, challenging widely held beliefs.
• Goldberg contends that modern liberalism shares unsettling ideological similarities with fascism, such as the centralization of power, collectivism and a cult of personality, sparking heated debates since the book’s release.
• He traces fascism back to Benito Mussolini, highlighting his evolution from a socialist intellectual to a fascist dictator, and draws parallels between Mussolini’s ideology and modern progressive movements.
• Goldberg identifies “fascist moments” in American history, including President Woodrow Wilson’s authoritarian policies during WWI and the New Deal era under FDR, which he argues reflect fascist governance principles like central planning and state control.
• Goldberg critiques contemporary liberalism, suggesting that identity politics and state control echo fascist ideologies. His work invites readers to reconsider the historical and ideological connections between progressivism and authoritarianism, offering a provocative perspective on modern politics.

Jonah Goldberg challenges conventional wisdom in his book, “Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, from Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning.” Goldberg argues that the roots of fascism are not exclusively tied to the far-right but are deeply intertwined with the progressive left, particularly in the United States.

His controversial thesis, which has sparked heated debates ever since the book’s release, contends that modern liberalism shares disturbing ideological similarities with fascism, including centralization of power, collectivism and a cult of personality.

Goldberg begins by reexamining the origins of fascism, tracing it back to Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator who originally coined the term. Contrary to popular belief, Mussolini began his political career as a socialist intellectual and only later embraced fascism as a response to the chaos of post-World War I Europe. Goldberg highlights how Mussolini’s early socialism evolved into a nationalistic ideology that combined socialist ideas with a strong, centralized state—a blueprint that, Goldberg argues, has parallels in modern progressive movements.

Adolf Hitler’s rise to power is another focal point in Goldberg’s argument. He challenges the notion that Nazism was inherently right-wing, pointing out that Hitler’s rhetoric often targeted the bourgeoisie and traditional conservatives, positioning his movement as revolutionary and anti-establishment. Goldberg suggests that Hitler’s brand of fascism was more aligned with collectivism and identity politics than with classical conservatism, a shift that blurs the lines between left and right.

Goldberg’s analysis then turns to American history, where he identifies what he calls “fascist moments” that have shaped the modern liberal state. Among these, President Woodrow Wilson’s administration during World War I stands out. Goldberg describes Wilson’s policies as authoritarian, citing widespread censorship, suppression of dissent and the creation of a federal propaganda machine. He argues that Wilson’s vision of a centralized, expert-led state laid the groundwork for the modern liberal welfare system.

The New Deal era under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is another key example. Goldberg draws parallels between Roosevelt’s policies and fascist corporatism, emphasizing the New Deal’s focus on central planning, state control and the cult of personality around Roosevelt. He suggests that these elements reflect a managerialist impulse that mirrors fascist governance.

Goldberg extends his analysis to the 1960s countercultural movements, which he argues shared similarities with fascist tactics, such as the glorification of violence and the rejection of traditional authority. He further explores the legacy of progressive leaders like Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, arguing that their visions of a powerful, activist state mirrored the “God-state” concept central to fascism.

One of the most controversial aspects of Goldberg’s argument is his critique of contemporary liberalism. He suggests that the left’s emphasis on identity politics, state control and the politics of meaning—highlighted by figures like Hillary Clinton—represents a modern manifestation of fascism. Goldberg argues that the left’s desire to transform society through collectivism and state action shares ideological ground with the fascist drive for a “new man” and a reimagined social order.

Goldberg’s work is particularly relevant today as debates over the nature of fascism, authoritarianism and identity politics continue to dominate public discourse. By tracing the historical currents of progressivism and their connections to fascism, Goldberg’s book serves as a reminder of the complexities and dangers inherent in political ideologies, urging readers to critically examine the roots of their beliefs. His book, though polarizing, invites readers to reconsider the historical and ideological ties between progressivism and authoritarianism, offering a provocative lens through which to view modern politics.

Watch this video discussing Jonah Goldberg’s seminal work “Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, from Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning.”

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

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